JP2009530034A - Fire suppression apparatus and method comprising an expansion agent - Google Patents

Abstract

  An apparatus for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container may include a housing forming a hollow sleeve and a post configured to be received within the hollow sleeve. The pillar can form a first chamber, a second chamber, at least one opening, and a penetrating end configured to penetrate the barrier. The first chamber can be configured to contain an inflating agent and the second chamber can be configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent. After activation of the expansion agent, the pillar extends from the housing, allowing the penetrating end to penetrate the container, and the fire extinguishing agent is passed through the at least one opening, The device can be configured to allow delivery to the interior of the container.

Description

  This application is filed on 35 U.S. of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 784,448, filed Mar. 22, 2006. S. C. Claim the benefit of priority under §119 (e), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container.

  Depending on the location of the fire, it may be difficult to suppress and / or extinguish the fire. For example, it may be difficult to deliver an effective extinguishing agent to the location of the container so that the extinguishing agent can be utilized in a fire and / or deliver an effective extinguishing agent to the interior of the container As such, the fire associated with the interior of the container may be difficult to suppress and / or extinguish.

  Examples of flames that may be difficult to suppress and / or extinguish due to the nature of the flame location may include flames associated with cargo. For example, a cargo flame on a cargo aircraft is inherently dangerous, and, for example, once a cargo is located in a cargo aircraft, access to the cargo area may be limited or impossible It may be difficult to extinguish.

  For example, the air transportation industry uses containers and pallets, which are sometimes collectively referred to as “unit load devices”, or “ULD”, for organizing and transporting cargo. Such containers may be constructed of a variety of materials such as, for example, aluminum, fiberglass, and / or other suitable materials. When mounted on a cargo aircraft, such containers enclose and restrain transport cargo. In addition, such containers may include features that are configured to engage retractable locks, for example, located in an aircraft floor handling system, that are front and back, side, and / or during ground and flight operations. Or, a desired vertical constraint can be provided.

  A cargo container can typically be loaded with two “bars” (ie, the two containers are arranged to fit the width of the cargo area, such as a cargo aircraft fuselage). An example of a typical container that is widely used is the designated “AMJ” based on the National Aerospace Standard 3610. The AMJ forms a generally rectangular box with an upper edge on one side that may be chamfered or curved, for example, to follow the cross-sectional shape of the aircraft fuselage. The AMJ is about 96 inches wide (about 244 cm) wide, has a bottom dimension of about 125 inches (about 318 cm) long, and a height dimension of about 96 inches (ie, on non-chamfered / non-curved sides). . Other containers are known to those skilled in the art, and perhaps 24 different sized containers are commonly used.

  Once installed in the cargo area of the cargo aircraft fuselage, only the foremost container can be accessible to the aircraft crew. However, even the earliest containers may only allow limited access to it. In the unlikely event that a flame occurs in the container behind the front container, there would be no practical way to manually deliver a fire extinguishing agent to the flame.

  One possible option would be to install a fixed, self-acting, bottle fire suppression device in each container. In view of high cost, high weight, and / or maintenance, installing such devices in each container may be impractical. In particular, air carriers can always have thousands of containers in stock. In addition, air carriers temporarily share and / or exchange containers by common industry methods, sometimes referred to as “transshipment”. Such a method can lead to a lack of cargo protection if, for example, an air carrier rents a container from another air carrier that does not have such equipment installed.

  Another possible option would be to install pyrotechnic gas generators or cartridges in each container. Pyrotechnic gas generators can provide a lightweight and effective method of suppressing and / or extinguishing a container fire. However, the installation of such devices within each container may be undesirable for a number of reasons. For example, these devices can be very expensive considering the large quantity of containers involved. In addition, cargo containers can often be exposed to shock, vibration, and / or extreme temperatures for extended periods of time. Such exposure can result in damage to the device, for example, propellant cracks. Such damage can make such devices dangerous and / or invalid.

  For these and other reasons, there is a need for alternative methods that can overcome one or more of the shortcomings outlined above with the above options.

  One subject of the present invention relates to the suppression and / or extinguishing of fires associated with containers, where manual use of extinguishing agents is located where it may be impractical. A further subject matter of the present invention relates to suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container that does not require the installation of a fire extinguishing device within the container. Yet another subject matter of the present invention relates to suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container located within a cargo area. A further subject matter of the present invention relates to suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container by delivering a fire extinguisher into the interior of the container. A further subject matter of the present invention relates to suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container that does not unduly hinder processes associated with the movement of the container into the cargo area.

  The present invention may attempt to meet one or more of the above-mentioned subject matter. While the present invention may eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned needs, it will be appreciated that some aspects of the invention may not necessarily remove them.

  In the following description, specific aspects and embodiments will be apparent. Of course, the present invention may be practiced in its broadest sense without having one or more of the characteristics of these aspects and embodiments. Of course, these aspects and embodiments are merely exemplary.

  In one aspect, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention includes an apparatus for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container. The apparatus can comprise a housing forming a hollow sleeve and a post configured to be received within the hollow sleeve. The pillar can form a penetrating end configured to penetrate the first chamber, the second chamber, the at least one opening, and the barrier. The first chamber can be configured to contain an inflating agent and the second chamber can be configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent. After activation of the inflating agent, the pillar extends from the housing, allowing the penetrating end to penetrate the container and the fire extinguishing agent is delivered to the interior of the container through at least one opening. The device can be configured to allow this.

  According to another aspect, a freight vehicle can include an apparatus configured to suppress and / or extinguish a fire associated with a freight vehicle and associated with a freight container. The apparatus can include a housing that is mounted in the freight vehicle in the vicinity of the freight container. The housing can form a hollow sleeve. The device can include a post housed within the hollow sleeve. The pillar can form a penetrating end configured to penetrate the first chamber, the second chamber, the at least one opening, and the barrier. The first chamber can be configured to contain an inflating agent and the second chamber can be configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent. After activation of the inflating agent, the pillar extends from the housing, allowing the penetrating end to penetrate the container and the fire extinguishing agent is delivered to the interior of the container through at least one opening. The device can be configured to allow this.

  According to yet another aspect, a method for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container provides an apparatus comprising a housing, a pillar configured to extend from the housing, an expansion agent, and a fire extinguishing agent. Steps may be included. The method can further include activating the expansion agent such that the pillar extends from the housing and delivering a fire extinguishing agent to the interior of the container.

  In addition to the structural and procedural arrangements described above, the present invention can include many other arrangements, as described below. It will be appreciated that both the foregoing description and the following description are exemplary only.

  The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain some principles of the invention.

  Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

  According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a device 10 for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire includes an actuator 12. The device 10 can be provided in areas where manual delivery of fire extinguishing agents may be at least somewhat impractical. For example, such a device 10 can be activated and positioned in the vicinity of the container so that a fire extinguisher can be delivered to the container (eg, the interior formed by the container). For example, one or more such devices 10 according to exemplary embodiments may be installed in the vicinity of one or more cargo containers located (eg, loaded) in an aircraft cargo area. Such a device 10 is contemplated for other locations and / or uses, such as, for example, use on other freight vehicles such as trucks, trains, and ships, for example, an aircraft main deck, and / or lower cargo. Can be located in the chamber.

  As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment of actuator 12 includes a main housing 14. The main housing 14 can form a hollow cylinder 16 having an end wall 18 at one end and an opening 20 at the opposite end. The hollow cylinder 16 can comprise a guide / stop 22 located in the hollow cylinder 16 adjacent to the gap 20. The guide / stop 22 can be held in the hollow cylinder 16 by, for example, a fixing device 24 (for example, a retaining ring). The main housing 14 can include one or more mounting lugs 26 that are configured to allow the device 10 to be mounted in a desired location. Alternatively or additionally, other structures may be provided to allow proper attachment of the device 10.

  The hollow cylinder 16 of the main housing 14 can be configured to accommodate the column 28. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, the exemplary embodiment of the pillar 28 forms an expansion chamber 30 and a fire extinguisher chamber 32. The expansion chamber 30 is configured to accommodate, for example, an expansion agent 34 (eg, pyrotechnic charge), and the fire extinguishing agent chamber 32 is configured to receive a fire extinguishing agent 36 (eg, fire extinguishing explosive charge). The The inflating agent 34 and / or the extinguishing agent 36 can be included in the inflating agent cartridge 38 and the extinguishing agent cartridge 40, respectively. The fire extinguishing agent 36 can include a pyrotechnic charge configured to generate a flame suppressant upon ignition.

  The post 28 can form a penetrating end 42 that is configured to penetrate a barrier, eg, a wall of a container. The pillars 28 can also include one or more openings 44 and / or baffles 46 configured to allow delivery of the fire extinguishing agent therethrough. For example, the pillar 28 can comprise one or more rows of baffles 46 that extend at least partially (eg, entirely) around the pillar 28.

  At the end 48 of the column 28, opposite the penetrating end 42, the column 28 can form a threaded portion 50 on either the inner or outer surface of the column 28. End 48 may be configured to receive a piston end cap 52, which may include a threaded portion 54 configured to engage a threaded portion 50 of post 28. The piston end cap 52 is configured to close and seal the end 48 of the column 28.

  As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an exemplary embodiment of the piston end cap 52 includes a cap portion 56 and a base 58. The cap portion 56 can include a screw portion 60 that is configured to engage the screw portion 62 of the base 58. The cap portion 56 can be mounted on the base 58 via, for example, screw portions 60 and 62 to form a housing 64 configured to receive the inflating agent 34, the inflating agent 34 (e.g., For example, in the form of balls or lumps of material).

  By removing the end cap 52 from the end 48 of the column 28, the extinguishant chamber 32 of the column 28 can be accessed. The extinguishant 36 can take the form of a cartridge, but can be mounted in the extinguishant chamber 32 of the column 28. According to some embodiments, the fire extinguisher chamber 32 and the expansion chamber 30 can be separated from each other by, for example, a separator 66. Separator 66 may include a timed fuse 67, which, for example, delays the firing of fire extinguishing agent 36 through the firing of expansion agent 34 until time fuse 67 is all burned and fire extinguishing agent 36 is ignited. Can be configured. The separator 66 can be disposed above (for example, above) the fire extinguishing agent 36. The inflating agent 34 can take the form of a cartridge, but can be disposed within the housing 64 of the piston end cap 52, and the piston end cap 52 can be mounted on the end 48 of the column 28. .

  The cap portion 56 of the piston end cap 52 can form an opening 68 and an ignition lead 70 (eg, an electrical ignition lead such as an electrical match or firecracker) is connected to the piston end. It can extend to the housing 64 of the cap 52. The ignition lead 70 can contact (eg, penetrate) the expansion agent 34. According to some embodiments, a sealing compound can be present around the ignition lead 70 at the opening 68. For example, the sealing compound can fill a spherical region located around the ignition lead 70 in the opening 68. The sealing compound can include one or more of Ventex clay, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and / or heat resistant silicone rubber (RTV). The sealing compound reduces or substantially reduces pressure loss after the igniting lead 70 activates the expansion agent 34 so that the column 28 has sufficient force to penetrate the barrier, eg, the wall of the container. Can help to prevent.

  The piston end cap 52 is, for example, an “O” ring seal (eg, a polymeric “O” ring seal) to provide a sealing relationship between the cap portion 56 of the piston end cap 52 and the base 58. ) Or the like. According to some embodiments, one or more seals 74 (eg, a heat resistant “O” ring seal) can be provided between the separator 66 and the inner wall of the post 28. Furthermore, a dynamic seal 76 can be provided between the main housing 14 and the column 28. For example, the dynamic seal 76 can be provided between the cap portion 56 of the piston end cap 52 and the inner surface of the main housing 14. The dynamic sealing portion 76 can include one or more (eg, two) piston rings that fill the gaps that are accommodated by grooves in the outer periphery of the cap portion 56.

  According to the exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated, the device 10 can be prepared for operation by removing the column 28 from the main housing 14. The piston end cap 52 can be removed from the column 28, and the extinguishing agent 36 can be mounted in the extinguishing agent chamber 32. The cap portion 56 of the piston end cap 52 can be removed and the expansion agent 34 can be mounted on a housing 64 that is partially formed by the base 58. The ignition lead wire 70 can be supplied to the opening 68 in the cap portion 56 of the piston end cap 52 via a gap 78 formed by the end wall 18 of the main housing 14, for example. For example, the ignition lead wire 70 can be embedded in the expansion agent 34 by molding the expansion agent 34 around the free end portion of the ignition lead wire 70, and the ignition lead wire 70 is connected to the cap portion 56. It extends through the opening 68. The cap portion 56 can then be mounted on the base 58 and encloses the expansion agent 34 within the housing 64 of the piston end cap 52. One or more seals 72 can provide a substantially complete seal between the cap 56 and the base 58. According to some embodiments, the seal 72 can be cured prior to use of the device 10.

  Piston end cap 52 can be mounted on post 28 via respective threaded portions 54 and 50. An end 48 of the column 28 with a piston end cap 52 mounted thereon can be inserted into the main housing 14. When the column 28 is inserted into the main housing 14, the ignition lead 70 accumulates between the excessive length of the ignition lead 70 between the piston end cap 52 and the end wall 18 of the main housing 14. In order to prevent this, it can be pulled out from the gap 78 in the main housing 14. Once the column 28 is fully inserted into the main housing, the guide / stop 22 is assembled to the main housing 14 and secured in place with the fixture 24.

  As schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, the device 10 can be activated by providing an electrical current to the ignition lead 70, thereby igniting the expansion agent 34. Once the inflating agent 34 is ignited, the inflating agent 34 generates a pressurized gas 82 that is in fluid communication with the upper portion 84 of the hollow cylinder 16 of the main housing 14 through the opening 68 in the cap portion 56. . As the pressurized gas increases the pressure between the cap portion 56 and the end wall 18 of the main housing 14, the column 28 is pushed toward the gap 20 in the hollow cylinder 16 of the main housing 14, which then For example, pushing the penetrating end 42 of the column 28 with sufficient force to penetrate the wall of the container (eg, the upper surface of the cargo container when the device 10 is mounted above the container in the cargo area). . The guide / stop 22 and the cap portion 56 of the piston end cap 52 are arranged such that when the cap portion 56 is adjacent to the guide / stop 22 and prevents the column 28 from separating from the main housing 14, the movement of the column 28 is prevented. Configured to stop. The expansion agent 34 can be selected and / or configured such that, for example, the pressure generated by ignition of the expansion agent 34 does not exceed the burst pressure of the device 10.

  Also, ignition of the expansion agent 34 can cause activation of the timed fuse 67 in the separator 66. Once the time fuse 67 burns into the fire extinguisher chamber 32, the fire extinguisher 36 is ignited from the fire extinguishing chamber 32 of the pillar 28, e.g., opening 44 and / or baffle 46 (cooling the extinguisher 36). Through which the penetrating end 42 of the column 28 is already penetrating to produce a gas exiting the interior of the container. The gas released into the container can be a gas that can suppress and / or extinguish a fire inside the container, for example, by extinguishing and / or suppressing a fire combustion process in the container Can help to form clouds.

  According to some embodiments, the device 10 can be configured to release the fire extinguishing agent 36 more than once. For example, the device 10 can be configured to release the fire extinguishing agent 36 multiple times, eg, 4 to 6 times. In particular, the device 10 can be configured to release the fire extinguishing agent 36 a first time, for example, so that a fire in the container is suppressed for a time ranging, for example, from about 30 minutes to about 45 minutes. Thereafter, the device 10 according to some embodiments may be used to suppress any fire in the container that has been re-ignited or re-fired, for example, as a result of reduced effectiveness of the fire extinguisher 36 released the first time. It can be configured to release fire extinguishing agent 36 a second time. The device 10 can be configured to repeat the release of the fire extinguishing agent 36 over and over, with a relatively constant or different spacing. For example, the apparatus 10 can include multiple doses of fire extinguishant 36 (eg, pellets) contained within the fire extinguisher chamber 32. Each batch of fire extinguishing agent 36 is independent of each other at different times, for example via electronic fuses and / or chemical fuses configured to ignite each batch of fire extinguishing agent 36 continuously. Can be ignited. In this way, some embodiments of the apparatus 10 can be configured to suppress fires in the container for extended periods of time, for example, up to about 4 hours.

  According to some embodiments, the device 10 can be activated remotely and / or automatically. For example, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, one or more detection devices 90 detect smoke, heat, and / or fire 91 associated with the cargo container 92 in the cargo area 94 of the aircraft 96. Can be used for. Such a sensing device 90 sends a signal indicative of the detected smoke, heat, and / or fire 91 to the device 10 (eg, ignites the ignition lead 70 and then activates the column 28 of the device 10). Can be configured to transmit to a controller 98 that transmits a signal (through the wall of the container 92 and into the interior of the container 92 to deliver the fire extinguishing agent 36). Alternatively or additionally, the signal from the sensing device 90 can provide an indication of the detected smoke, heat, and / or fire 91 to the aircraft crew, and the aircraft crew can signal the device 10. The transmitting system can be manually activated, which activates the device 10.

  Although exemplary embodiments of the device 10 have been described in the context of an aircraft, the use of the device 10 is not limited to aircraft. For example, the device 10 may be used in other environments where a fire may be encountered at locations that may make manual use of extinguishing media impractical and / or on the other side of the barrier. Takes into account.

  This application also includes the accompanying documents, which describe some exemplary aspects and examples of optional functions.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure and method described herein. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the subject matter discussed herein. Rather, the present invention is intended to include modifications and variations.

1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire. FIG. 2 is a schematic partially exploded view of a portion of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B is a schematic partially exploded view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 in operation. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cutaway view of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 located in an exemplary vehicle.

Claims (14)

A device for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container,
A housing forming a hollow sleeve;
A column configured to be received within the hollow sleeve, the first chamber, the second chamber, at least one opening, and a penetrating end configured to penetrate the barrier; And forming pillars,
The first chamber is configured to contain an inflating agent, and the second chamber is configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent;
The apparatus, after activation of the expansion agent, allows the pillar to extend from the housing, allowing the penetrating end to penetrate the container, and the extinguishing agent to pass through the at least one opening. Configured to allow delivery to the interior of the container via
apparatus.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expansion agent comprises a pyrotechnic charge.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fire extinguishing agent comprises a fire extinguishing pyrotechnic.   The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ignition lead configured to activate the expansion agent.   The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a timed fuse configured to activate the extinguishing agent after activation of the expansion agent.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to activate the extinguishing agent multiple times. A freight vehicle,
Comprising a device configured to suppress and / or extinguish a fire associated with a cargo container associated with the cargo vehicle;
The device is
A housing mounted in the freight vehicle in the vicinity of the cargo container, the housing forming a hollow sleeve;
A pillar housed in the hollow sleeve, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; at least one opening; and a pillar forming a penetrating end configured to penetrate the barrier. ,
The first chamber is configured to contain an inflating agent, and the second chamber is configured to contain a fire extinguishing agent;
The apparatus, after activation of the expansion agent, allows the column to extend from the housing, allows the penetrating end to penetrate the container, and the extinguishing agent passes the at least one opening. Configured to allow delivery to the interior of the container via
Cargo vehicle.   The freight vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the freight vehicle includes one of an aircraft, a truck, a train, and a ship.   And further comprising a cargo area configured to receive a plurality of cargo containers, wherein the plurality of devices are mounted within the cargo area to allow the penetrating end to penetrate the container. The freight vehicle according to claim 7.   The freight vehicle of claim 9, wherein the cargo area is configured to receive a cargo container in a predetermined location, and wherein the at least one device is attached in the vicinity of one of the predetermined locations.   The freight vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the at least one device is mounted above the predetermined position. A method for suppressing and / or extinguishing a fire associated with a container comprising:
The body,
A pillar configured to extend from the housing;
A swelling agent;
A fire extinguisher,
Providing an apparatus comprising:
Activating the swelling agent such that the pillar extends from the housing;
Delivering the extinguishing agent to the interior of the container;
Including a method.   The method of claim 12, wherein delivering the fire extinguishing agent to the interior of the container includes piercing the container through the pillar.   The method of claim 12, wherein delivering the extinguishing agent to the interior of the container is repeated multiple times.

Images